The Manhattan Life Insurance

What The Manhattan Life Insurance does

The Manhattan Life Insurance Company, operating commercially as ManhattanLife, is a privately held U.S. insurance carrier founded in 1850 and headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company underwrites and distributes a diversified portfolio of supplemental health insurance, life insurance, annuities, Medicare supplement plans, mortgage protection, and short-term disability products through six legal entities including Manhattan Life Insurance Company, ManhattanLife Insurance and Annuity Company, Western United Life Assurance Company, and Standard Life and Casualty Insurance Company. It serves three primary customer segments: individuals, families and seniors seeking supplemental health, life, and retirement income products; employers of all sizes purchasing voluntary group benefits; and homeowners purchasing mortgage protection, with all distribution conducted domestically across at least 29 U.S. states.

ManhattanLife generates revenue primarily through recurring insurance premiums collected on a monthly or annual basis across its product lines, with annuity premiums structured as annual single-premium or flex-premium contracts. Distribution is executed through a hybrid go-to-market model: an independent producer and agent network handles the majority of sales, a direct-to-consumer website (manhattanlife.com) supports policy research, agent contact, and self-service, and a direct employer sales motion targets voluntary benefits at small, mid-market, and large national employers. The technology stack is a conventional insurance administration platform with dedicated policyholder, provider, and producer portals, an iOS/Android Easy Upload mobile app for document submission, and a separate mortgage lending portal supporting commercial real estate loan origination. Pricing is quote-based on age, health, coverage amount, and product type, with no public rate-card disclosure.

The company is owned and controlled by the Harris family through Central United Life Insurance Company; David Harris fully acquired Manhattan Life in 2000 and relocated the corporate office to Houston, and Tyler Harris was promoted to President in April 2022. The company has grown through acquisitions including Western United Life Assurance (2013), Humana Workplace Voluntary Benefits and Financial Protection Plan lines (2018), and Standard Life and Casualty (2020), and unified the family of companies under the ManhattanLife brand in 2018. It carries an A (Exceptional) Financial Stability Rating and a BBB A+ accreditation, and celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2025.

Name

The Manhattan Life Insurance

Legal name

Manhattan Life Insurance Company

Website

https://manhattanlife.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1850

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

ManhattanLife is a privately held Houston-based insurance carrier founded in 1850 that underwrites supplemental health, life, annuity, and Medicare supplement products for individuals, families, seniors, and employers across at least 29 U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Life Insurance & Annuities

NAICS

Direct Life Insurance Carriers (524113), Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers (524114), Insurance Carriers and Related Activities (524)

SIC

Life Insurance (6311), Accident & Health Insurance (6321)

akta.pro primary industry

Large Group Health Insurance (Mid-Market & National Accounts) (FSAIAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supplemental/Voluntary Group Term Life (Employee-Paid) (FSAIADAB), Group Whole Life (Limited/Continuous Pay) (FSAIADAE)

Keywords

• Life insurance
• Supplemental health insurance
• Annuity products
• Medicare supplement
• Voluntary benefits

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Life Insurance Premiums: Recurring premium payments from whole life insurance policies providing permanent coverage with fixed premiums and cash value accumulation. Also includes term life and group universal life products offered to employers.
2. Supplemental Health Insurance Premiums: Premium revenue from supplemental health products including accident, cancer, heart attack & stroke, dental/vision/hearing, hospital indemnity, home health care, short-term care, and out-of-pocket (GAP) coverage.
3. Annuity Products: Revenue from multi-year guarantee annuities (MYGAs) and fixed index annuities (FIAs). Annuities provide growth potential, income security, and retirement planning solutions. Premiums are invested with returns distributed to annuitants over time.
4. Medicare Supplement Plans: Medicare supplement insurance products that help cover costs not paid by original Medicare, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
5. Mortgage Protection: Insurance products that pay off mortgage balances in the event of death or disability, protecting homeowners and their families.
6. Employer Group Products: Voluntary benefits sold to employers including accident, critical illness, hospitalization, life insurance, and short-term disability coverage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ManhattanLife is a private insurance holding company that underwrites and distributes supplemental health insurance (accident, cancer/heart/stroke, dental/vision/hearing, hospital indemnity, home health care, short-term care, out-of-pocket/GAP), life insurance (whole life, term life, group universal life), annuities (multi-year guarantee annuities and fixed index annuities), Medicare supplement plans, and employer group voluntary benefits. Products are sold to individuals, families, and seniors through independent agents and direct-to-consumer channels, and to employers of all sizes for group voluntary benefits.

Product overview

ManhattanLife operates as a diversified insurance and annuity company offering a comprehensive portfolio of supplemental health and life insurance products. The portfolio is organized around three core customer segments: Individuals, Seniors & Families; Employers (voluntary benefits); and Annuities. The supplemental health insurance offerings include Accident, Cancer/Heart Attack & Stroke, Dental/Vision/Hearing, Home Health Care, Hospital Indemnity (including Affordable Choice), Out-of-Pocket (GAP), and Short-Term Care. Life insurance products span Whole Life, Term Life, and Group Universal Life. Annuity products include Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities (MYGAs) and Fixed Index Annuities (FIAs). Additional offerings include Medicare Supplement plans, Mortgage Protection, and Critical Illness coverage. The company serves as a holding company for multiple subsidiaries including ManhattanLife Assurance Company of America, Western United Life Assurance Company, Standard Life and Casualty Insurance Company, and Family Life Insurance Company. The portfolio was built through strategic acquisitions including Central United Life Insurance (1993), Western United Life (2013), Humana Voluntary Benefits (2018), and Standard Life and Casualty (2020), with the unified ManhattanLife brand established in 2018.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Affordable Choice: Hospital Indemnity plan providing coverage for hospital visits, urgent care, ER visits, surgeries, and ambulance services with no deductible
• PAID (Personal Accident Indemnity Delivery)
• Accident Indemnity Plus

Products and services

• Accident Insurance Individual and employer supplemental accident coverage providing financial protection after unexpected injuries, covering out-of-pocket expenses that major medical insurance may not fully cover.
• Cancer, Heart Attack & Stroke (Dread Disease) Insurance Supplemental coverage providing lump-sum benefits for cancer, heart attack, stroke, and dread disease conditions to help manage financial consequences beyond traditional health insurance.
• Dental, Vision & Hearing Insurance Combined coverage for dental, vision, and hearing needs with guaranteed issue for ages 18-85 and guaranteed renewable for life, with no provider networks and choice of providers.
• Home Health Care Insurance Coverage providing flexibility and financial support for recovering at home, covering services not typically included in traditional health plans.
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance Supplemental hospital coverage that pays benefits directly to policyholders to address costs associated with inpatient care, including hospital stays, ER visits, surgeries, and ambulance services.
• Out-of-Pocket (GAP) Insurance Coverage helping bridge financial exposure from out-of-pocket costs associated with hospital stays, reducing exposure to unexpected medical bills.
• Short-Term Care Insurance Affordable insurance plan offering flexibility, customization, and simplified underwriting for short-term care needs.
• Whole Life Insurance Permanent life insurance with fixed premiums and potential to accumulate cash value over time, covering expenses such as funeral costs, mortgages, and long-term family needs.
• Term Life Insurance Life insurance providing coverage for a specific period (10 to 30 years), commonly chosen for temporary needs such as income replacement or mortgage protection.
• Group Universal Life Insurance Permanent coverage available through employer-sponsored plans with flexible premiums, adjustable benefits, cash value features, and optional riders.
• Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities (MYGAs) Annuity products with guaranteed interest rates for specified terms, offering growth potential and income security for retirement planning.
• Fixed Index Annuities (FIAs) Annuities with interest linked to market index performance while providing downside protection, offering income security and retirement planning options.
• Medicare Supplement Plans Supplemental insurance designed to fill gaps in traditional Medicare coverage for seniors, providing additional financial protection for healthcare costs including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
• Short-Term Disability Insurance Employer group product providing income replacement for employees unable to work due to temporary disability.
• Mortgage Protection Insurance Coverage protecting homeowners by paying mortgage payments in case of death or disability, ensuring family can remain in their home.
• Critical Illness and Cancer (Employer Voluntary Benefit) Employer voluntary benefit providing lump-sum benefits for critical illness and cancer diagnoses.
• Employer Accident Insurance Employer group accident insurance providing financial protection for employees after unexpected injuries.
• Employer Hospitalization Benefits Employer group hospitalization coverage providing supplemental hospital benefits to employees.
• Personal Accident Indemnity Delivery (PAID) Individual accident plan with both 24-Hour and Off-the-Job Only options, covering hospital admission (up to $1,000), fractures (up to $5,000), burns (up to $10,000), emergency dental, ambulance, and ER treatment. Guaranteed Renewable until age 70 for ages 18-64.
• Ancillary Benefits Supplemental benefits for individuals including various coverage options to complement primary insurance.
• Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Lending Commercial real estate loans originated through the ManhattanLife Mortgage Lending Team, based in Houston, Texas.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Globe Life: Supplemental health and life insurer serving middle-income American families through independent agents. Directly comparable distribution model, target customer, and product mix (whole life, accident, cancer) to ManhattanLife.
• CNO Financial Group (Bankers Life): Mid-market insurer focused on supplemental health, Medicare supplement, and annuities distributed to middle-income consumers and seniors through captive and independent agents. Closely comparable to ManhattanLife's senior-skewed product set.
• National Western Life Insurance Group: Privately controlled life insurance and annuity carrier focused on whole life, term, and annuities for niche markets. Comparable in private-ownership structure, product mix (life + annuities), and target customer profile.
• American Equity Investment Life Insurance: Specialty annuity writer focused on MYGAs and fixed-index annuities with strong independent-producer distribution. Direct comparison for ManhattanLife's annuity block and channel strategy.
• Sammons Financial Group (North American Company): Privately held insurance holding company selling life, annuities, and supplemental health through independent producers. Closely aligned business model and product portfolio to ManhattanLife.
• Fidelity & Guaranty Life (FGL Holdings): Insurance holding company focused on annuity and life products distributed through independent agents and broker-dealers. Comparable product mix (FIAs, MYGAs, life) and independent channel orientation.
• Security Benefit: Privately owned insurance and retirement provider offering annuities and life insurance through financial professionals. Analogous mid-sized private player with overlapping product categories and distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• AFLAC: Largest U.S. supplemental health insurer (cancer, accident, hospital indemnity) sold primarily through employer payroll-deduction via independent brokers. Closest large-scale analog to ManhattanLife's supplemental health portfolio, though materially larger.
• Transamerica: Large diversified life, annuity, and supplemental health carrier with broad independent-advisor distribution. Overlaps with ManhattanLife across life, supplemental health, and retirement income products.
• Lincoln Financial Group: Major U.S. carrier in life insurance, annuities (fixed and variable), and group benefits. Comparable across life, annuity, and employer group voluntary benefits segments, though at substantially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/manhattanlifeco
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnQfNkrRfvi_yuXQP-DgaAQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ManhattanLife
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manhattanlife-group
• Instagramglassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-ManhattanLife-EI_IE1282842.11,24.htm

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Manhattan Life Insurance